Digital Skills Hub
Qualifications
At Key Stage 4 pupils work towards qualifications offered in the context of the Key Stage 4 Entitlement Framework. Pupils will have to use a variety of digital skills to successfully complete any of the courses that they follow. These will include researching information online and presenting information in a written report or presentation.
There are, of course, some qualifications which have a more explicit link to higher level digital skills. We have outlined some of these below.
Our innovative Digital Technology qualifications, alongside GCE Software Systems Development, are a direct response to the call for digital skills and digital makers.
Digital technology incorporates aspects of computer science and information technology. It explores how we can use technology to create, store, process, analyse and present information in a digital context. This includes computer architecture, networks, web technology, digital media, programming tools and software applications.
It is information rather than money that makes the world go around, and we depend on computers to process this information. Our governments, hospitals, banking, transport, and so much more depend on these systems to function.
Software controls every computer system function in the world. The ability to write computer programs in languages that are used widely in the industry is one of the most valuable skills to have in the world today. Knowing languages such as Java and C# allows you to programme and develop applications for mobiles. Wouldn't it be great to have the skills to become part of this growing industry?
CCEA’s Art & Design qualifications challenge students to develop their observational skills and aesthetic appreciation.
Students can be involved with a range of digital formats including:
- digital graphic design;
- website design;
- video art;
- animation;
- using social media; and
- experimenting with relevant software to help explore and realise creative intentions.
CCEA’s GCSE in Business and Communication helps students understand the changing role of ICT in business and economic activities. It also helps students understand the ways in which market environments are changing because of ICT, for example the rise of e-business.
Through studying the course, students:
- gain business knowledge, understanding and skills;
- gain practical ICT skills; and
- gain an understanding of how ICT skills are used to enhance business activities, particularly through e-commerce.
Students on this vocationally orientated course have the chance to learn about and practise the core journalism skills of interviewing, writing and reporting.
It maximises the use of technology, enabling students to carry out and present their work using a range of different digital platforms, including recording and editing audio and/or audio-visual interviews with primary sources and formatting news pages.
Students on this applied qualification work on a range of creative, critical and technical tasks. These include planning and creating moving image products. Students are given the opportunity to:
- develop ideas by investigating and experimenting with film-making techniques and processes;
- develop the ability to manage resources, processes and equipment at different stages of moving image production;
- create complete moving image products;
- develop technical competence in using film-making techniques; and
- evaluate the effectiveness of their practice as film-makers.
Music is a combination of sounds, silence, rhythm, pitch, tone, melody and harmony that communicate emotions and ideas. It has great power to excite and to relax us, to bring back memories and to make us feel nostalgic.
Students following a music course make effective use of digital technology in a wide range of contexts, for example:
- use technology in the research of the Areas of Study and materials selected for performance and composition;
- experience live and recorded music and understand the use of digital technology in the design and delivery of music;
- explore a range of music software including Logic and GarageBand or notation software such as Sibelius in the creation and presentation of their composition;
- explore the effects of multimedia and ICT on music;
- record performance work using digital technologies; and
- compile scores, lead sheets or written commentaries
Technology and Design is concerned primarily with the design and manufacture of high quality technological products. Every design is influenced by outside factors such as consumer demand, the state of the market, customer expectations and consumer laws.
Students following a technology and design make effective use of digital technology in a wide range of contexts, for example:
- applying CAD, CNC and CAM in product manufacture;
- producing, drawing and analysing Gantt charts;
- using computer modelling and CAD;
- designing and analysing printed circuit boards; and
- developing skills and expertise using 2D and 3D design software, programming and control software.